Brussels, 20 June 2018 – BSA | The Software Alliance congratulates the EU institutions for the political agreement reached on the Free Flow of Data Regulation, and for the swiftness in reaching this important result.

In achieving the ambitious objective of ensuring that data sets composed of both personal and non-personal data are properly addressed, without prejudice to the General Data Protection Regulation, the negotiators have provided for a coherent and cohesive set of rules.

BSA also commends the inclusion in the scope of the public sector, and in particular public procurement as well as the balanced approach taken with regards to public security exceptions in the text, ensuring that the Regulation complies with the established jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice and the Treaties.

“This is a significant step towards a well-regulated and comprehensive EU Dataspace” says Thomas Boué, Director General, Policy – EMEA “Data flows are a cornerstone in the development of the Digital Single Market, and the Regulation achieves the complex result of fostering competition, safeguarding data protection and involving all stakeholders in developing future codes of conduct. The Regulation will also constitute an important reference for the EU in the global context of data flows, in particular for future international trade agreements.”